Letters to the Editor

It does not surprise me that Clark Gallagher poopoos the federal CAFE standards program which sets mileage requirements for car manufacturers (In My Opinion, Sept. 23). People who are not concerned with global climate change or this nation’s addiction to oil seldom find need for mileage standards or government interference, or to drive a car that is fuel efficient.

It also does not surprise me that Gallagher makes claims for his Camaro and Chrysler of 21 mpg and 25 mpg respectively, “on the highway going speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour with the air conditioning on.” He shows in his editorials a tendency to misstate or exaggerate the facts with regularity, so this is consistent behavior with what we have come to expect from him.

Here’s the challenge: Gallagher can use his own car(s) and demonstrate to two disinterested parties (we each choose one person to verify the results) that either car meets his claims for mileage over a 50-mile level freeway course of his choosing. If he can, I will pay $100 to the charity of his choice. If he can’t, he will pay $100 to a charity of my choice.

Words are cheap. Let’s find out if Gallagher’s claims for his V-8 gas guzzlers are factual in the “real world.” I realize with fall upon us that his air conditioner will draw little from his mileage figure. As an incentive, and to illustrate the importance of being factual to someone in his position, I will accept the figures regardless of the outside temperature.

Eric Canon, of the “Green Machin” crowd - Forest Grove

Publisher’s note: Thank you for your comments. I drive from Albany to Hillsboro, for the most part, on a daily basis, so most of the miles on my cars are freeway miles. The Chrysler is a sequential Hemi. Sustained speeds turn off cylinders, so I can achieve the mileage on four cylinders. The Chevy has a six-speed manual. In sixth gear it lopes along at 1,400 rpm. The mileage figures I used are from the on-board computers on both cars. You’re welcome to check them out at any time. But I suggest you do it after the next three weeks. I’m out of the country and will be back in the groove the week of Oct. 17.

Regards, Clark Gallagher, gearhead

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Aviation Activity

In a recent letter, Intel and other corporate users were chastised for not displaying their fleet of aircraft at the last Air Show as a symbol of the importance of their economic contribution to the community. I agree that the corporate jet aircraft are among the quietest at the airport. I would go further, the corporate aircraft contribute the least to the significant pollution burden that aviation activity imposes on the community.

The writer also suggests that airport users take a more active role in building public support for the airport. I think they would do well to also take a more active role in managing down the airport’s burden on the community. It is no surprise that the complaints, i.e., the airport’s burden, referred to are caused in large part by the virtually constant pilot training activity at the airport, whether it is the helicopters, the single engine trainers, or the twin engine trainers. Reducing this burden would be a significant action demonstrating the commitment of the aviation community to the good of the broader community in Washington County.